Lip seals for cooking apparatus and cooking apparatus having lip seal

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Patent Application under 37 U.S. C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/054207, filed on Aug. 8, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,116, filed on Aug. 8, 2012, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to lip seals for sealing a vessel in a cooking apparatus, and cooking apparatus including such seals.

2. Description of Related Art

Known cooking apparatus, such as pressure fryers, are used to cook various food products, e.g., poultry, fish, potato products, and the like. Such cooking apparatus may include one or more cooking chambers, e.g., fryer pots, which may be filled with a cooking medium, e.g., an oil, a liquid shortening, or a meltable-solid shortening. Such cooking apparatus also may include a heating element, e.g., an electrical heating element, such as a heating oil medium, or a gas heating element, such as a gas burner and gas conveying tubes, which heat the cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The amount of time sufficient to cook or to complete the cooking of the food product at a given cooking temperature depends on the type of food product that is cooked. In a pressure fryer, when the food product is submerged in the oil, the food product cooks, releasing heat and steam, which pressurizes the cooking chamber. The increased pressure in the cooking chamber allows for thorough cooking in reduced time, and assists in preventing drying out of the food product.

Known pressure fryer apparatus may include a lid to seal the cooking chamber once the food product has been placed inside the cooking chamber. The lid with a gasket or sealing member may create a seal with the chamber body that is sufficient to withstand the pressure from the cooking operation. In known cooking apparatuses, a great amount of force (e.g., greater than 2000 lbs.) is required on the seal member to create an initial seal between the lid and the cooking chamber. Thus, known seals may be difficult to engage, requiring great force, and a suitable seal may not be created without the required force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for seals for cooking apparatus and cooking apparatus including such seals, which overcome these and other shortcomings of the related art. A lip seal according to embodiments of the invention may be configured to provide a seal at low pressure and may require a smaller input force to create an initial seal between a lid and cooking chamber.

In an embodiment of the invention, a cooking apparatus comprises a cooking chamber configured to hold a cooking medium therein, a lid configured to cover the cooking chamber, and a sealing member disposed between the lid and the cooking chamber. The lid comprises a lid liner disposed on an inner surface of the lid, and a retaining member disposed on the inner surface of the lid adjacent to an edge of the lid. The sealing member comprises a lip portion comprising an upper leg and a lower leg, each disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the sealing member to substantially form a V shape at one longitudinal end of the sealing member, and a ridge portion comprising an upper ridge and a lower ridge, each disposed at an opposite longitudinal end to the one longitudinal end of the sealing member. The retaining member is configured to retain the sealing member, and the sealing member is configured to create a seal between the cooking chamber and the lid.

In another embodiment of the invention, a sealing member comprises a lip portion comprising an upper leg and a lower leg, each disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the sealing member to substantially form a V shape at one longitudinal end of the sealing member, and a ridge portion comprising an upper ridge and a lower ridge, each disposed at an opposite longitudinal end to the one longitudinal end of the sealing member. The lip portion is configured to be disposed between a lid and a cooking chamber of a cooking apparatus, and the lip portion is configured to create a seal between the cooking chamber and the lid.

One advantage of the sealing member is that a small input force is required to create an initial seal between a lid and cooking chamber. Another advantage is that the lip portion allows for greater variation in the shape and size of mating parts. A further advantage of the sealing member is that it may be formed as a substantially rectangular shape and may have rounded corners.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a partial side view of a cooking apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a top view of a sealing member, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, taken along line A-A.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a detail view of the cross-sectional view of the sealing member of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, taken along line A-A.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of a sealing member, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a bottom view of a lid assembly with sealing member, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a partial side cutaway view of a cooking apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a partial side cutaway view of a cooking apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, may be understood by referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-7</figref>, like numerals being used for corresponding parts in the various drawings.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts a portion of a pressure fryer as an exemplary cooking apparatus <b>100</b>, according to an embodiment of the invention. Cooking apparatus <b>100</b> may include a cooking chamber <b>110</b> that may be configured to hold cooking media, e.g., an oil, a liquid shortening, a meltable-solid shortening, or the like, for cooking food product. Cooking chamber <b>110</b> may include a cooking chamber band <b>115</b> at an upper portion of cooking chamber <b>110</b>. A lid <b>120</b> of cooking chamber <b>110</b> may be configured to cover the top of cooking chamber <b>110</b> by closing on cooking chamber band <b>115</b>.

Lid <b>120</b> may include a lid assembly <b>125</b>, which may include, for example, a handle (not shown) and a cam assembly <b>130</b>. Cam assembly <b>130</b> may assist with opening and closing lid <b>120</b> on cooking chamber <b>110</b>. In this case, an operator may apply a relatively small force to cam assembly <b>130</b>, which may impart a linear force to lid assembly <b>125</b>. Lid assembly <b>125</b> may thereby move vertically along a fixed track or rail to open and close lid <b>120</b> on cooking chamber <b>110</b> in response to the applied force. In alternative embodiments, lid assembly <b>125</b> may include a hinge assembly for opening and closing lid <b>120</b>. With hinge assembly <b>125</b>, a radial force may be applied to open and close lid <b>120</b>, and cam assembly <b>130</b> may be omitted. When lid <b>120</b> is closed onto the top of cooking chamber <b>110</b>, a seal may be created between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b>.

Cooking apparatus <b>100</b> may include a gasket or sealing member <b>200</b>, depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, according to an embodiment of the invention. Sealing member <b>200</b> may create a seal between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b>. Sealing member <b>200</b> may be configured to create the seal between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b> with a relatively small input force. Sealing member <b>200</b> may be rectangular in shape and may have rounded corners. In alternative embodiments, sealing member <b>200</b> may have straight corners and may be in the form of alternative shapes and sizes to accommodate different styles of cooking chambers or lids.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> depicts a cross-sectional view of sealing member <b>200</b>, taken along line A-A in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts a detail view of the cross-sectional view of sealing member <b>200</b> as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>. Sealing member <b>200</b> may include a lip portion including an upper leg <b>210</b> and a lower leg <b>220</b>. Each of upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> may be disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of sealing member <b>200</b> in cross-section, such that upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> substantially form a sideways V shape at one longitudinal end of sealing member <b>200</b> (i.e., the left end as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>). An angle A formed between upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> may vary in a range of approximately five degrees to approximately 175 degrees, and may preferably be approximately 95 degrees. The angle between upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> of the lip portion may be selected such that when sealing member <b>200</b> is compressed by an input force, a seal may be created between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b> without relying on pressure that may build up in cooking chamber <b>110</b>.

Sealing member <b>200</b> may further include a first ridge portion including an upper ridge <b>250</b> and a lower ridge <b>260</b>. Each of upper ridge <b>250</b> and lower ridge <b>260</b> may be disposed at an opposite longitudinal end to the longitudinal end of the sealing member with the lip portion (i.e., the right end as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>). A second ridge portion may be formed on sealing member <b>200</b>, spaced apart from the first ridge portion. The second ridge portion may include an upper ridge <b>230</b> and a lower ridge <b>240</b>.

Between the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion, a cutout portion may be formed in sealing member <b>200</b>. The cutout portion may include an upper cutout <b>270</b> and a lower cutout <b>280</b>. While each of upper cutout <b>270</b> and lower cutout <b>280</b> are depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> as substantially rectangular, the cutouts may be alternatively shaped, such as triangular, circular, semi-circular, ovaline, or the like.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a perspective view of sealing member <b>200</b>, according to an embodiment of the invention, with the first and second ridge portions and the lip portion, as described above. In alternative embodiments of the invention, one or more of the first ridge portion, second ridge portion, and cutout portion may be omitted from sealing member <b>200</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> depicts a bottom view of lid <b>120</b> with sealing member <b>200</b>, according to an embodiment of the invention. Thus, the underside of lid <b>120</b> that closes on cooking chamber <b>110</b> is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. Lid <b>120</b> may include a lid liner <b>510</b> disposed on an inner surface of lid <b>120</b>. Lid <b>120</b> may also include a retainer <b>520</b> that may be configured to retain sealing member <b>200</b> on the underside of lid <b>120</b>. Retainer <b>520</b> may be secured to lid <b>120</b> by a plurality of fasteners <b>530</b>. Fasteners <b>530</b> may be, for example, screws, bolts, nails, or other fastening means.

As depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, lid liner <b>510</b> may be disposed along an inner surface of lid <b>120</b> to conform to the shape of the inner surface if lid <b>120</b>. In addition, lid liner <b>510</b> may be secured to lid <b>120</b> with one or more fasteners <b>630</b>. Fastener <b>630</b> may be, for example, a screw, a bolt, a nail, or other fastening means. The upper portion of cooking chamber <b>110</b> may include band <b>115</b> onto which lid <b>120</b> may be configured to close to cover cooking chamber <b>110</b>. Sealing member <b>200</b> may be disposed between lid liner <b>510</b> and band <b>115</b> to create a seal between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b> when lid <b>120</b> is moved into a closed position.

Sealing member <b>200</b> may be configured such that upper cutout <b>270</b> accommodates fastener <b>630</b>. Further, sealing member <b>200</b> and retainer <b>520</b> may be configured such that lower cutout <b>280</b> accommodates a portion of retainer <b>520</b>. Thus, when lid <b>120</b> is moved into a closed position, an input force is applied to sealing member <b>200</b> to compress sealing member <b>200</b>.

When sealing member <b>200</b> is compressed, a seal is established between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b>. In particular, a seal is created with seal member <b>200</b> in contact with a surface of lid liner <b>510</b> and band <b>115</b> of cooking chamber <b>110</b>. As sealing member <b>200</b> is compressed, upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> are compressed, such that the angle between upper leg <b>210</b> and lower leg <b>220</b> decreases, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, showing sealing member <b>200</b> in a compressed state.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> depicts a partial side cutaway view of cooking apparatus <b>100</b>, according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, upper leg <b>210</b> of sealing member <b>200</b> may come into contact with lid liner <b>510</b> of lid <b>120</b>, as lid <b>120</b> is closed to cover cooking chamber <b>110</b>. Upper cutout <b>270</b> may be configured to accommodate fastener <b>630</b>, which may secure lid liner <b>510</b> to lid <b>120</b>. When fastener <b>630</b> is accommodated in upper cutout <b>270</b>, upper ridge <b>250</b> of the first ridge portion may be disposed adjacent to fastener <b>630</b>. Similarly, when fastener <b>630</b> is accommodated in upper cutout <b>270</b>, upper ridge <b>230</b> of the second ridge portion may be disposed adjacent to fastener <b>630</b>. In addition, when a portion of retainer <b>520</b> is accommodated in lower cutout <b>280</b>, lower ridge <b>260</b> of the first ridge portion may be disposed adjacent to the portion of retainer <b>520</b>. Similarly, when a portion of retainer <b>520</b> is accommodated in lower cutout <b>280</b>, lower ridge <b>240</b> of the second ridge portion may be disposed adjacent to the portion of retainer <b>520</b>. Accordingly, sealing member may come into contact with one or more of a surface of lid liner <b>510</b>, a surface of band <b>115</b> of cooking chamber <b>110</b>, a surface of retainer <b>520</b>, and a surface of fastener <b>630</b> to create a seal between lid <b>120</b> and cooking chamber <b>110</b>.

The configuration of sealing member <b>200</b> allows the input force that is required to create the seal to be reduced. In addition, a seal may be achieved with only this reduced input force, and without requiring a high pressure that may be built up in cooking chamber <b>110</b>. The material of sealing member <b>200</b> may comprise an elastomer such as silicon rubber, viton, or the like. The material hardness may vary. Softer material may require less input force, but may also diminish sealing capacity. Harder material may require a greater input force to form the seal. The cross-section of sealing member <b>200</b> may take on a variety of shapes for the portion other than the V shape of the lip portion.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other variations and modifications of the preferred embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and the described examples are considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims.